Auto transmission Braking for Corners

[colbourne]

I am new to auto transmissions and wanted to know whether it is acceptable practice to while in manual mode drop a gear to gain the braking effect from the engine.

Is this likely to damage the transmission. I understand that on hills using the engine for braking is Ok as it is only whilst changing that bad wear will occur.

Is this dropping a gear something that would be recommended at a track day from 160+ km/h ?

[OwnaXR6T]

I personally cant see it being good for the trannie but others might

[xrdreaming]

During a track day , I can't see how you wouldn't need to engine brake coming into corners. I would want damn big brakes if you didn't.

[Buf-Phoon]

drive my auto just like a manual , all of the time . Secret is dont drop it back at high revs if you want your auto to last

[3rdTurbo]

  colbourne said:

I am new to auto transmissions and wanted to know whether it is acceptable practice to while in manual mode drop a gear to gain the braking effect from the engine.

Is this likely to damage the transmission. I understand that on hills using the engine for braking is Ok as it is only whilst changing that bad wear will occur.

Is this dropping a gear something that would be recommended at a track day from 160+ km/h ?

There's a saying "Gears are for going and brakes are for slowing".

Why wear out your tranny unneccessairly? Use the brakes for corner entry. $100 - $200 for brake pads (a consumable) compared to $1000+ for a transmission (key mechanical component).

If you drive the SSS in manual mode or a conventional manual, do all your braking in a straight line (if possible) and as you hit the apex ensure that you shift to the correct gear at this time for the corner exit.

On the other if your brakes have faded, transmission braking is an option.

[ktford]

I often push mine back without looking to hard at the tach/speedo, relying on the computer to now when is safe to allow the box downshift.

Scotty

[Guest]

If you push to soon the thing wont change till its safe to,try it ,it works

vik

[Benny]

It's not great for the transmission and will create more wear but if your the type of person that pushes your car to the limit then you'll need to use the engine braking to slow you up enough coming into the corners. As 3rdTurbo said get all your braking done before the corner and accelerate through as braking while cornering is not a good practice.

[Turbo6man]

  colbourne said:

I am new to auto transmissions and wanted to know whether it is acceptable practice to while in manual mode drop a gear to gain the braking effect from the engine.

Is this likely to damage the transmission. I understand that on hills using the engine for braking is Ok as it is only whilst changing that bad wear will occur.

Is this dropping a gear something that would be recommended at a track day from 160+ km/h ?

You can use the auto exactly as you would a manual - the engine braking will not be quite as effective as a manual but is still acceptable ... and there is a small delay in the shifting unless you have had the transmission modded.

You will do no harm to the transmission at all by doing this and it will not unduly increase wear or cause any premature costs for repairs. Transmissions are generally built to last not tens but hundreds of thousands of km.

Also your car's balance on coming into corners, esp downhill, will be far better under engine braking than wheel braking. For me brakes are a last resort - damn things only slow you down !!!

[351]

I am with you turbo6man I totally agree because I dont know how some people can think that at a track day your brakes are going to last too long providing you dont have track brakes.

I generally I only use my brakes right when I start to slow down then use my tranny ,mine is a manual so I cant speak for you guys with autos but seriously you should try using the gearbox to its full potential.

Besides when slowing a 1700+kg car from 160+ kms you really should be using any stopping power you can get.

p.s gearbox brakings great but compression lock up is better